Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday staged a sit-in outside the Parliament Street Police Station with student protester Sahil Lochab, demanding an FIR over alleged pellet-gun firing during the July 20 student protest in Delhi.
Gandhi accompanied Lochab to the police station after the student sought to file a complaint over his alleged pellet injuries. After the FIR was not registered, Gandhi sat on a dharna outside the DCP’s office and demanded action.
The controversy stems from the July 20 ‘Chalo Sansad’ protest, during which students marched towards Parliament over demands including action on alleged NEET irregularities. While Delhi Police has denied using pellet guns, a CRPF internal inquiry reportedly found that an RAF personnel fired seven pellet rounds, with five hitting protesters.
Gandhi has demanded accountability and a formal investigation into who authorised the firing and the injuries suffered by protesters. The issue has also reached the Supreme Court, where a petition has challenged the use of pellet guns for crowd control.
The police and authorities have disputed aspects of the allegations, making the registration and investigation of an FIR the immediate point of contention.